On 5 May 1972, it crashed into Mount Longa, about 3 miles (4.8 km) southwest of Palermo while on approach to the airport, killing all 115 passengers and crew onboard.

On 5 May 1972, the aircraft I-DIWB of Alitalia (a Douglas DC-8-43) started the flight AZ 112 from Rome to Palermo, taking off 36 minutes late.

[3] Captain Roberto Bartoli was in charge of the radio assistance, while First Officer Bruno Dini flew the aircraft.

[5] The crash occurred on the 26th anniversary of Alitalia, which started operations with a single Fiat G.12 on loan from the Italian air force.

There is an urban legend that in the crash of Montagna Longa a mythical first wife or partner of the songwriter Francesco De Gregori found her death.

[10][11] On June 27, 2023, the families of the Montagna Longa massacre asked, launching an appeal to the Head of State, to reopen the investigations.

In a note signed by Ernesto Valvo, president of the Association of the families of the victims of Montagna Longa where , it is stated that: "The judiciary has recently rejected the request to reopen the investigations presented by us, resulting from the meticulous report of Professor Rosario Marretta, who hypothesizes the presence of explosives on board the DC 8 that mysteriously crashed on May 5, 1972.